Popular Destinations in Yosemite National Park

Vacation Rentals in Yosemite National Park

Vacation Rentals in Yosemite National Park, USALodge Rentals

Enjoy rustic living in the forests and mountains of the beautiful Yosemite National Park. Throughout the park, you'll find log cabins full of modern comforts. These vacation rentals are designed with tranquility and privacy in mind and often offer stunning lake or mountain views.

Village Accommodation

If you like combining the outdoor life with some shopping and dining then choose cottages in the park's hamlets and villages. Enjoy the best of both worlds with skiing and stunning nature on the doorstep along with shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

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Holiday in the Yosemite National Park

Orientation

The Third Largest National Park in the USA

Yosemite National Park in California's Sierra Nevada is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recognized for its scenic and biological diversity, it is home to some of the world's largest sequoia trees. You'll also find cascading waterfalls, granite cliffs, and thousands of miles of crystal clear streams and rivers.

Yosemite Park - where nature is awesome

Spend a few days taking in the spectacular scenery of Yosemite and you'll leave inspired and rejuvenated. Visit in spring for the full wonder of its waterfalls as their power is enhanced by the snowmelt. In the summer months, you can access the passes at Tioga Pass and Glacier Point for majestic views across this dramatic landscape. Perhaps the park's most iconic sight is the granite monolith of Half Dome, while at 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls is one of the world's highest waterfalls.

Getting there

The three nearest airports to the park, including Fresno-Yosemite International, are around two hours drive away, so a car is essential for getting the most out of your vacation rental. The park has four main entrances, three to the west and one to the east. These involve navigating mountain and forest roads so plan plenty of time for your journey.

Activities

A destination for 4x4 drivers

Make light work of country and mountain roads by exploring Yosemite in a comfortable 4x4. Be sure to head to Tunnel View, it is one of the park's most popular viewpoints. The Yosemite Valley is laid out before you with El Capitan on the left, Half Dome in front, and Bridalveil Fall to your right.

A hiker's paradise

There is no shortage of impressive hiking trails crisscrossing the park but the valley of Hetch Hetchy with its reservoir and waterfalls is the starting point for many beautiful wilderness trails. Let someone know where you are headed and wear appropriate clothing.

A destination for climbers and skiers

Yosemite National Park offers some of the most challenging rock climbing in the USA with vertical faces stretching up over 3,000 feet. They push even the most experienced climbers to their limits. You will also find mountaineering schools for beginners. Badger Pass was the first ski resort to open in California. Today, skiers can enjoy its ten downhill runs and over 350 miles of cross-country ski trails.

The park was originally patrolled on horseback by veterans of the American-Spanish war known as Buffalo Soldiers. Their distinctive Montana Peak caps are now part of the ranger uniform you see today.

Top 5 things to do in Yosemite National Park

1. Take a guided tour

Get more out of your Yosemite experience by booking a tour tailor-made for your group's needs and interests. Let someone else do the driving while you take in the scenery or try your hand at fly-fishing, stargazing or guided hiking.

2. Mule or horseback trekking

Taking a gentle mule or horseback ride is the perfect way to travel through shady forests and across streams of beautifully clear water.

3. Hire a bicycle

Travel at your own speed when you hire bicycles for the day. Cycle trails are clearly marked throughout Yosemite National Park with routes for all ability levels.

4. Step back in time

Dine at the 19th-century Wawona Hotel before visiting the Pioneer Yosemite History Center. It is just a short walk over a covered bridge from the hotel to reach these historic buildings.

5. Big tree photography

Photograph the USA's biggest trees. Near Wawona is Mariposa Grove with its stands of giant sequoias. Be sure to visit in the summer as the road is often impassable in Winter.

Useful Information

An area of weather extremes

During the winter months, snow is common at higher elevations and many roads and trails become impassable. The heaviest precipitation is from January to March but rain occurs throughout the season. Summer can see temperatures rising to 90°F (30°C) and this is the season when spectacular thunderstorms may occur. At any season, the weather can change rapidly within a short space of time so always be prepared.

A Christmas parade of lights

Enjoy the pre-Christmas period with the locals in Madera as a procession of tractors, fire trucks, and vehicles make their way down Yosemite Avenue. Vehicles can only take part if they are carrying at least 100 lights. This sparkling event takes place in the first week of December.